• Prepare a standard card base from More Mustard card stock and score at the top. Layer the two lower corners with the Corner Rounder.
• Layer with the “Fall Stripes” selection from Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper. Round the two lower corners with the Corner Rounder.
• Select three “Leaf” stamps from Falling Leaves and ink with Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, and Old Olive and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the 1-1/4″ Square Punch, and punch the lower right-hand corner with the Tag Punch. Distress the edges with Soft Suede ink and mount with Stampin’ Dimensionals onto 1-3/8″ Squares which have been punched from the new Texture Cuts Wood Sheets. Add an Always Artichoke Brad in the lower right-hand corner.
• Cut a strip of “Soft Suede Dots” from the Autumn Traditions collection. Mat onto More Mustard card stock. Punch a Scallop Edge Border from the Soft Suede Dots and adhere to the bottom of this horizontal strip.
• Add a snippet of Kraft Ribbon, layered with 1/4″ Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon.
• Adhere the Leaf mats as illustrated in the photograph, and position and attach the horizontal mat to the card base.
• Ink the “So Thankful” curvy sentiment from Falling Leaves with Soft Suede and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Use the Tag Punch on one end and tear the other end to add texture. Distress the edges with Soft Suede ink.
• As a finishing touch, add a snippet of Linen Thread and pop onto the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

This card is rich in texture and details! We have brads, two types of ribbons, linen thread, wood cuts and four different types of punches…as well as inking of the edges and a small sample of paper tearing. Sometimes I just get started and I can’t stop! How many times has that happened to you? I really need to try something clean and simple for a change!
If you like to stretch those “creative muscles” of yours like I do, challenges are an excellent source of inspiration. As I have alluded to in earlier posts, there is a new “challenge” coming to town! Soon you will be saying “I love to play @ PPA!” The official unveiling of this new challenge blog will occur at 5:00 AM CST on Thursday, July 30th. Meet the design team, view their inspiration cards, and join in the fun! Just visit the Stampin’ Schach blog on July 30th, and the link will be ready and waiting for you! I am excited and thrilled to be a part of this new venture, and I am personally inviting you to play along with me!

I would like to give a special shout out to Jean at Rogue Thoughts. First of all, Jean alerted me to the fact that I had accidentally removed the Snowman Trio post from the Stampin’ Schach blog, and for this I am truly thankful! Plus, as an added surprise, Jean mentioned my “Through the Garden Gate” card on her blog. Once again, many thanks! As always, I love to hear from you, whether its your thoughts about a card, questions about a technique or product, or just to say “Hi!” Please feel free to leave me a comment, or an Email. Until next time…

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Falling Leaves (115368)
Inks: Soft Suede (115657), Crushed Curry (115659), Dusty Durango (115654), Old Olive (102277)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Traditions (115668)
Card Stock: More Mustard (100946), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: 1 -1/4” Square Punch (104400), 1-3/8” Square Punch (103375), Scallop Border Punch (112091), Tag Punch (107215)
Embellishments: Kraft Taffeta Ribbon (109068), Always Artichoke ¼” Grosgrain Ribbon (109035), Linen Thread (104199), Rich Regal Brads (106953)
Other: Texture Cuts Wood Sheets (116309), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

• Prepare a 4-1/4″ x 7-1/2″ card base from textured More Mustard card stock. Round the corners with the Corner Rounder.
• Ink the Gingko image from Kind and Caring Thoughts with Chocolate Chip and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat onto More Mustard, followed by Dusty Durango.
• Select the More Mustard pattern from Autumn Tradition Designer Series Paper, and round opposite corners. Mat onto Dusty Durango, and once again round the opposite corners, as noted in the photograph.
• Position and adhere these two mats onto a selection from Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, which has had the right side corners rounded.
• Add a snippet of Dusty Durango Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon as illustrated.
• Using the Photo Corners Punch, punch the larger corner from the Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, and the smaller corner from Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper. Position and adhere to the upper left hand corner of the Gingko image, layering the smaller Thoroughly Modern corner on top of the larger More Mustard corner.
• For bling, add a Pumpkin Circle Fire Brad in the upper left hand corner of the More Mustard pattern from Autumn Tradition Designer Series Paper.
• Position and adhere the mats onto a selection from Thoroughly Modern. As the finishing step, adhere the Thoroughly Modern element to the card base.

The Dusty Durango and More Mustard colors are the perfect duo for fall cards. The nice is thing about this card is that it goes together quickly, which is an advantage when time is of the essence.

I also have a second card to share with you today. Richard had his first card making lesson today. You might remember that Richard is the septuagenarian who requested lessons as his birthday present. The card is totally his own design! What a dynamo! I was exhausted after his card making session, while Richard was ecstatic. This card is actually a birthday card for his son, whose favorite colors happen to be black and white! Congratulations, Richard, on your first card!

Are you counting down the days until it’s “Time to Play at PPA”? As a member of the design team, I know that I am anxious for you to meet the other members of the team, and to have you participate in our first challenge. A link to the actual site will be made public right here on the Stampin’ Schach blog on July 30, at 5:00 AM central time. I encourage you to play along, since challenges are perfect for honing our card-making skills. So that you will not miss out on the fun, subscribe to The Stampin’ Schach by using the link on the right!

Missy the Boxer’s Update: Several of you have been emailing me and asking me about Missy’s latest status. Missy had her check-up today. She has lost almost two pounds (wish I could say the same). This is because in situations where there are kidney problems, the individual often develops tummy upsets and does not eat properly. This has occurred in Missy’s case, so she is now taking the doggie equivalent of Pepcid AC to prevent the formation of gastric ulcers. In addition, she has developed a mild ear infection, neccesitating ear drops twice each day…in addition to her eye drops, Estradiol, Clomicalm, and vitamins! However, her kidney function seems to be improving, as is the pressure in her eye! She will have her blood rechecked next week, so stay tuned for the next Missy check-up results!

As always, your comments and emails are important to me. I read each and every one of them, so please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email. Until next time…

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now
Stamp Set: Kind and Caring Thoughts (115324—Hostess Level 3)
Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Designer Series Paper: Thoroughly Modern (115673), Autumn Traditions (115668)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Textured More Mustard (108697—Earth Elements Assorted Pack), Dusty Durango (115321)
Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (109042), Photo Corners Punch (109042)
Embellishments: Circle Fire Brad (109110), Dusty Durango Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115609)

• Prepare a card base from textured Very Vanilla card stock. Because of the size of my stamp, I made my base 5-1/2″ x 5-1/4 “. Score at the top, and round the top two corners using the Corner Rounder.
• The stamp was inked in Basic Brown and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock. I then used Blender Pens and the following inks to color the image: Garden Green, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Really Rust, Soft Suede, Mellow Moss, Rose Red, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Perfect Plum,White StazOn. Round the corners with the Corner Rounder, and mat onto Rose Red, once again rounding the corners.
• Zip a piece of Very Vanilla through the Big Shot with the Stampin’ Up! Finial Press Embossing Folder. Round the corners.
• Select the “Small Rose Red Dotted” paper from the Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper collection, and round the two top corners. Use the Eyelet Border Punch on the bottom border.
• Ink the “Peace Within” sentiment from the Peace Within stamp set with Basic Brown and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Round opposite corners with the Corner Rounder and mat onto Rose Red. Once again, round the opposite corners.
• Cut a strip of Rose Red textured card stock 5-1/2″ long by 1″ wide. Add a snippet of Very Vanilla 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon.
• Position and adhere as illustrated in the photo. As a final touch, add three Rose Red Buttons from the Fresh Favorites II Collection. For a more finished looked, use slivers of Very Vanilla card stock as “thread”. (Tip: Mini Glue Dots will hold the buttons firmly in place.)

A Stampin’ Schach Special Announcement: Do you enjoy stamping challenges? Soon you will be saying “I love to Play @ PPA!” Join the design team as we unveil a new official challenge web site at 5:00 AM CST on July 30th! At that time, a link to this new challenge site as well as the first challenge and inspiration cards will be provided right here on the Stampin’ Schach!

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Sets: Sentiment—Peace Within (114312), Image is non-Stampin’ Up! (Stampendous circa 1994)
Inks: Garden Green (102272), Pretty in Pink (101301), Bashful Blue (105209), Sage Shadow (102532), Mellow Moss (102774), Creamy Caramel (103220), Rose Red (101778), Perfect Plum (101437), Really Rust (102549), Soft Suede (115657), More Mustard (103162), Basic Brown (104315), White StazOn (106960)
Designer Series Paper: Thoroughly Modern (115673)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted), Very Vanilla (101650), Rose Red Textured (108696—Rich Regals Assorted), Rose Red (102544)
Tools: Corner Rounder (109047), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Finial Press Embossing Folder (115963)
Embellishments: Fresh Favorites II (107422), Very Vanilla 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109055)
Other: Blender Pens (102845), Mini Glue Dots (103683)